I recently switched over to a raw diet for my 20 month old assistance dog, a Golden Retriever. I rescued him at 8 months old and he was OBESE, got him down to his proper weight (84lbs) in two months. About 4 months ago he has starting losing weight, he is now down to 77lbs. Luckily I have been able to keep him stablised at this weight after starting the raw diet 2.5 weeks ago. However I can't get him to gain weight! He is eating 5% of the weight a 84lb dog should be eating. Feeding him more seems to make him upset tummy wise. Could someone tell me what foods are good for weight gain? Should he have gained weight after 2.5 weeks? The good news is he hasn't lost any. I am feeding chicken RMBS, muscle meat and a veggie mix. I supplement, and add in an organic egg or some organic yougurt every other day.

FYI I have had bloodwork and had him checked out by 3 Vets all who say he is healthy just skinny. And I do mean SKINNY I can see everyone of his rib bones when he runs.

Thanks for any suggestions in advanced.

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....he was OBESE, got him down to his proper weight (84lbs) in two months. ... However I can't get him to gain weight! He is eating 5% of the weight a 84lb dog should be eating. Feeding him more seems to make him upset tummy wise.

First: CONGRATULATIONS of getting his weight down! There are so many bad effects from canine obesity!

That 5%.........did that mean 50%?

When you say he has been checked, I assume you are including parasites (like tapeworms) right? I'm pretty sure that's the number one cause when a dog who is not being underfed can't gain weight. And giardia has a loss-of-appetite effect.

If he definitely does NOT have any kind of parasites (and you have had him checked for everything else), then I would check the size and frequency of the stools. Big and frequent stools would make me consider a problem with digestion. Was the dog on any kind of drug regimen (like antibiotics) around the time the weight-loss happened? If so, maybe the yogurt isn't enough of a replacement of digestive flora. If you suspect this, then I'd want to ask the vet about digestive enzyme supplements.

Then, all this aside, if it's just a problem with ingesting enough at the meals to keep up the weight, then what I would do is add another small meal rather than more food to one of his existing meals. Some people would recommend leaving food out for a very thin dog. I don't like doing that with any food (just MO), and I especially wouldn't with fresh raw food.

I'm not a health professional, so these are just anecdotal suggestions to consider. Good luck!